SOUTHLAND.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9022, 7 February 1895, Page 6

SOUTHLAND.

If the times were as good as the weather we should be blessed indeed, but it is not so, for still the cry is, Where is the money gone? Well, it's gone where the Colonial Treasurer it Koing, and having driven it there the Government are obliged to send a man Home to talk about our splendid resources) and try to get some of it back again. That is really the plain English of it. These people were told that if they persisted in passing their socialistic measures the money would go, and It has gone. For a time they could afford to laugh at and ridicule the idea, but it it no laughing matter now, for the country is suffering fearfully for the want of mouey, and if the Treasurer doesn't send some this way there will be trouble bafore long. By way of encouragement we are going to entertain him at a banquet to-night (Monday). Of course we feel a nort of interest in him, and it is just as well to send him away Iv good spirit*. The half holiday question is settled at last, at least so far as Invercargill is concerned. Wednesday—as I said would bein the day chosen. We have kept it faithfully tor six years, and we arc tired ofchanges, so we rounded up steadily for "as you were." It amused mc somewhat thin half, holiday businesß. It seems to have occupied the attenti- of the country for some week* past, th. people for the moment forgettiug their troubles—a fine stroke of business on -the part of the Government this. It reminds mc of one of Napoleon lll.'s tricks. Oa one occasion a row was brewing, and it was so reported to him. The answer was, "Gild the dome of the InTftlldes," aud for weeks all Paris calked of nothing else, and the trouble passed away. Our fellows have worked the holiday trick, but they will have to get hold of a fresh cry, for the public are back to the old question, Where's the money gone ? They see that the depression is deepening, and from what goes on from day to day it is avident bed-rock has not yet been reached.

The Ocean Beach works are about starting freezing again, but it U rumoured that the Southland Freezing company arc not going to re-open at present, the result of last year's working having been so unfavourable that the company don't feel warranted in making the start this year, unless there' is some certainty of a paying business before them. Tbe publication of their annual balance-sheet is looked forward to with some interest.

But tbe country is looking well; couldn't be otherwise, the line rains we had last week have put the country ahead wonderfully, and by the look of the crops iv the interior district, cutting must come ou very quickly. Fair crop* too may be expected, and in some districts particularly a yield much over last year is expected. Both in town and in country districts machines, both reaping nnd thrashing; are being put in order, and work for labouring men should be plentiful for some time to come.

There is now on exhibition In Invercargill a small cake of gold 9oz l_dwts and 5 grains, the produce of about 30cwt of quartz, from a Wilson's river claim, the Northern Star. If there is much more of thU sort of stuff, they had better send it along, but in the meantime we are witbont any information on this point.

Referring to the race for the Viceroys Cup, won by Metallic it appears from a Bombay contemporary that old Highborn went to tbe post limping and cau.ed hii backers much uneasiness. His owner was not going, however, to let the opportunity of securing the unique honour of winning the coveted Cup for the third time in succession slip past without making an effort, and it speaks volumes for tho game race he ran that he was just beaten for third place by the crack horse Hopetoon. It is a pity that Highborn should have fallen to pieces just before the race. Oh even terms tho result of the. race between him and Metallic would have been exceedingly interesting. Frequently during the last ten years.or so 'ye hay« been accustomed to see the race tor the Viceroy's Cup resolve itself into a duel between an English and an Australian horse : but'never until this year havo two such doughty representatives opposed each other. Perhaps, however, Highborn will again meet Metallic in the same race next year, when, if fie and well, he may be able to follow the example of another great Australian horse, Myall King, and win the Viceroy's Cup for tho third time. Metallic had a great reputation before she came out to India. Sprig-o'-Myrtic, tbe second horse, was specially purchased in Australia by the Beresford-Pdliala stable last year for loOOgs—3Ooji9 more than was paid for Highborn —In order to beat the black horse for the Cop. Hopetoun, at one time, was in such indifferent form that it wa) contemplated riot to start him. He improved wonderfully, however, and there were some knowing ones who, after the accident to Highborn, thought that the challenge to Metallic at the finish would be given.by this well-bred little horse rather than by any in tbe P-tiala stable.